PhD Progress for Seminars and Supervision (2026)

Welcome to PhD Progress for Seminars and Supervision (2026)

Description:

The next “Seminars for Progress” is planned for November 9 and 10. It is a forum that supports PhD development and supervision. It brings together PhD students and supervisors to reflect on research progress. Participants discuss achievements, challenges, and future research directions. The seminars strengthen networks across cohorts and supervisory groups. They create a structured yet familiar environment for open dialogue. Students present proposals or pre-defence work and receive feedback. Supervisors exchange experiences and discuss supervision practices. The format spans two days, with presentations, thematic discussions, and reflection and we would like PhD students to encourage their supervisors (at least one of them) to participate one and preferrably both days. Second day is meant for helping supervisors and to provide a forum for discussing general supervision challenges. Dialogues follow a model covering data, research questions, theory, and outcomes. Key topics include methods, process, time management, and publication strategy. The seminars also address identity, collaboration, and international challenges. They aim to unlock learning and feedback opportunities throughout the PhD journey. Overall, the concept celebrates and strengthens emerging researchers and their work. As part of the admission requirements, PhD students must share their PhD plan and provide a short status prior to the course. 

Knowledge & Understanding

• Articulate the current state of their research, including data, theory, research questions, and expected outcomes
• Identify key challenges and opportunities within their own PhD project and research field
• Describe effective supervision practices and reflect on how these apply to their own supervisory relationship

Skills & Application

• Present research proposals or pre-defence work clearly and constructively to an informed academic audience
• Give and receive structured, actionable feedback on research in progress
• Apply reflection models to evaluate progress across methods, timelines, and publication strategy

Networking & Collaboration

• Build and strengthen connections across PhD cohorts and supervisory groups
• Exchange experiences with peers and supervisors to develop shared strategies for common challenges
• Navigate collaborative and international dimensions of academic research

Professional & Identity Development

• Reflect on their evolving identity as an emerging researcher
• Develop a realistic and strategic plan for the next phase of their PhD journey, including publication goals and time management
• Recognize and articulate personal achievements and milestones within the PhD process

Teaching methods:

Presentation & Structured Dialogue: Participants present their own research proposals or pre-defence work to peers and supervisors. Presentations follow a structured dialogue model covering data, research questions, theory, and outcomes — ensuring focused, productive feedback conversations rather than open-ended discussion.

Peer Learning & Feedback: A central tool is structured peer exchange, where PhD students across cohorts share experiences, challenges, and strategies. This creates mutual learning opportunities beyond the individual supervisory relationship and builds a culture of collegial support.

Thematic Group Discussion: The course use facilitated discussions around key topi cs — including methods, time management, publication strategy, identity, and international challenges — allow participants to explore shared concerns and develop practical approaches together

Program outline:

The time allotted for presentation and discussion is adjusted, depending on the number of participants. Expect at least 15 minutes for your own presentation. We will provide feedback and draw issues for general discussion related to the PhD-process based on your presentation.  

09:30-09:50:      Welcome round, Idea and format

09:50-15:30:     Presentations and feedback rounds, thematic discussions

18:30:      Dinner

9:00-11:00      Supervision theme (dealing with shared supervision obligation, transition of supervision style through PhD studends progression, etc. Themes depends both on issues raised by supervisors and on the the feedback from day 1. Possible themes could be: supervision in teams, adjusting supervision styles along the PhD journey, managing the role of being co-author with your students, etc..   

Literature: 

Burman, Å (2018): Finish on time - The Doctoral Student handbook, Finish on time publications

Organizer: 
Poul Houman Andersen, AAUBS, Marketing

Lecturers:
Poul Houman Andersen
Susanne Åberg (ekstern) director of PhD Studies at Uppsala University, Sweden  

ECTS: 1 ECTS course (8 hrs preparation, 8 hrs attendance, 12 hrs post-reflection/paper etc)

Time: 9 & 10 November 2026

Place: AAU Business School 

Zip code: 9220

City: Aalborg

Number of seats: 12

Deadline for enrolment: 19 October 2026

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

You may find more information in our FAQ: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/local/page/faq

For inquiries not described in the FAQ, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk. When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.